Only You
Written by Arcadia
Chapter 9:
Lila couldn't believe it. Clark was kissing her. After all these years of flirting, baking sweets, coming over to his home, Clark finally responded to her advances and kissed her. Many nights Lila dreamt of the sexy farmer; how he would come to her at last; how he would look naked, on top of her, in her and now it was finally going to happen.
Lila wrapped her arms around Clark's neck, pushed herself off her stool and onto Clark's lap. Bullets bounced off him like steel. Lila could understand why. His skin felt tough. She tried nibbling his lower lip with her teeth but it was like biting a rock. Lila didn't let that deter her. If she couldn't nibble him, she would find some way to please him. Her hands went to his shirt and pushed it up from his waist.
Lila's kisses were a light tingle against his hard skin. The same as Lana and Lori's. Nothing like Diana's. He didn't want to think of Diana's kisses and how they made him feel but it was hard not to. He wanted to forget her. However, once he felt Lila's hands pushing his shirt up, he was stabbed with a guilt of consciousness. He couldn't go through with it.
Clark put his hands over Lila's. "No," he broke the kiss. "No, I can't."
Lila wanted him. He knew that; saw it in her eyes, hear her speeding heart and he could smell her arousal. However, Clark couldn't do it. Clark knew he would regret sleeping with Lila. Diana used him and he hated it. If he wanted to be with Lila for her alone and not use her to get back at Diana, he would take Lila to her bedroom now but that wasn't the case. There was also another reason he was backing down.
Lila moved in to kiss him again. Her fingers clinched his shirt. "It's okay. You're nervous."
Clark grabbed Lila's hand and pushed her away, forcing her off his lap. Clark got off the stool, putting more distance between him and Lila. "No. That's not it." He growled, frustrated Diana's pretty face filled his mind. "It wouldn't be right. I can't get Diana out of my mind."
Wouldn't be right? Lila fumed. He can't be thinking of Diana's well-being! Not after she hurt him. "Don't give Diana any thought. She didn't with you. She used you. You're not getting back with Diana by being with me. You left her to be with me."
Lila went to Clark's side and attempted to kiss him again and Clark pushed her away. "I can't. My feelings for Diana." Even when he was furious with her, all his mind could think about was Diana. She hurt him but kissing Lila, Clark felt like the bad guy.
Lila tried again. She was not going to lose Clark to a woman who didn't deserve him. "Clark, Diana used you. How can you have any other feelings toward Diana beside hate?"
Hate? How could he hate Diana after all she'd done for him? If it wasn't for Diana, he wouldn't have stepped into the world as Superman. President Luthor and the First Lady would be dead. He wouldn't have the fighting skills to defeat Solomon Grundy. He would've have gotten over his fear of losing control. "Diana's done more for me than you can imagine, Lila. I can't hate her. I don't want these feelings I have for Diana but I can't help it."
"What feelings?"
Clark confessed, "I love her."
Lila was repulsed. "You love her?"
"Yes." And Clark wasn't happy about his confession either. "I didn't realize it before tonight, but I've fallen in love with Diana. It doesn't mean I like her. I don't."
Lila was blown Clark feelings for Diana went that far. She thought it was lust, sexual attraction. She didn't consider he would fall in love with Diana. This made her job even harder.
"It won't be easy but I'll get over her Diana."
Lila knew it wouldn't be easy for Clark. He was a nice guy who was very respectful of women. She could see that when he let her down to tell her of his feelings for Diana. She knew a guy like Clark would love a woman forever.
Why couldn't it be me?
The mood permanently killed, Lila said, "It hasn't been an easy night for you. Why don't you get some sleep? You can take the sofa in the living room. It's very comfortable. I have a blanket you can use." She started to leave but stopped. Clark wasn't human. Things didn't affect him as it did humans. It was something Lila was beginning to realize about Clark. Physically, he was very different from humans but his heart was just as fragile. "Do you need a blanket?"
"Not really," Clark said, "but I'll take it. Thank you, Lila."
Despite being turned down, Lila smiled. "It's all right." If she waited this many years for Clark, she could wait a little longer she reasoned. He did kiss her. That was progress but getting over his love for Diana, that was going to take a long time.
Diana awakened in Clark's bed alone. She cried herself to sleep, hoping, praying Clark would come back but he never did. Diana pulled herself out of bed. She passed the mirror in the room, ignoring her bloodshot eyes and her disheveled hair.
"Clark." Diana ventured through the Fortress hoping to find Clark but he was still gone. Alone in the Fortress, Diana never realized how lonely it felt being here. At the Fortress in her world, there was Kalex; there were holograms of Kal she could spar with, sometimes talk to. Today was the first time in weeks she thought about her home world and after what happened with Clark, Diana wondered if she should go back.
"Go back to what?" Diana ruefully asked herself. "A robot that looks like Kal and holograms of a man who no longer exists?" Diana thought of Clark again; the anger in his voice; the hurt on his face. Fresh tears fell from her face as she realized her folly. "Oh, Gods, I was trying to replace Kal with Clark. I wasn't moving on. I lied to him. I used him."
Clark's crushed face filled Diana's mind again. Diana couldn't believe she did that to Clark. She never hurt anyone more than she hurt him. "He didn't deserve that. I shouldn't have done that to him." Diana clasped her hands together. "Hera, what's happening to me? I wasn't like this. I don't want to be like this anymore."
As if to answer her question, a gold light sparkled from the corner of Diana's eyes. She found herself standing outside her bedroom. On her dresser, rest her golden lasso, gleaming, beckoning Diana to touch it.
Her golden lasso brought out the truth in everyone. People could bury the truth within themselves so deeply that even they believe their lies but the lasso always found the truth. Diana knew the lasso was her answer. It was time to find out where she lost herself and how she can find her way back.
Diana picked up her lasso. She could feel the power of the lasso surging through her; the power of truth; the power of responsibility, the power of liberation. Diana fell to her knees and placed the lasso over her head. Thick cords of the golden lasso wrapped around Diana's neck like expensive jewelry.
Just like Clark when he was under the power of the lasso, Diana felt open and vulnerable. Diana thought of the woman she was on her world before she met Kal, after she married him, how she handled his death and meeting Clark. Emotions whirled through her as she thought of the two men. Two men who looked the same but were different except in their feelings for her.
The lasso worked its magic on Diana, digging in her soul, searching for answers, searching for the truth. The truth hit her like a bolt of lightning.
"It's me he wants."
Diana hoped that wasn't true. "No. How can you say that?"
"Look at the map, Diana. It's obvious."
They were in the Fortress looking at the holographic map on screen. Doomsday hit all the cities where heroes resided in. The last three cities to fall were Central City, Keystone City and Gotham.
"He's on his way to Metropolis. He wants me." Kal clinched his fists in anger. "That monster has Luthor written all over it. He's taking out all our friends. It won't be long before he arrives in Metropolis. That is where he will be waiting for me."
"Us," Diana corrected Kal. She was not going to let her husband face Doomsday alone.
Diana was dressed for battle. She wore her gold eagle uniform with Hephaestus sword at her hip. Her strength and skills would help but Kal didn't want Diana fighting. He saw what Doomsday did to his friends. He didn't want the same thing to happen to Diana.
"Together, we can defeat this monster," Diana was confident of it. In her mind, no one was stronger than her and her husband combined.
Kal wasn't sure. He knew Doomsday had some of his DNA meshed in with who knows what sick, twisted form of science Luthor used to create him. Doomsday was a formidable creature but he couldn't fly. That was an advantage but that wasn't much compared to Doomsday's strength, speed and heartlessness. He asked Diana, "Have you contacted J'onn and Hal again?"
In that moment, Diana knew Kal wasn't sure they could defeat Doomsday. Was Doomsday that powerful? That scared her. Kal defeated everything that challenged him. He even stood up to Darkseid and defeated him forever with Orion. Why was Kal so worried about Doomsday? "They're still too far way. It will be hours before they get here."
Kal accepted that answer. "I'll do what I can against Doomsday. No more of our friends will fall."
Diana noticed Kal referred to himself again when facing Doomsday. He was cutting her out of battle? "Kal, what are you thinking?"
"We've lost Oliver, Huntress, Vixen, Hawkman and hundreds of civilians. Wally's legs are broken and Bruce is fighting for his life. If I have to break my own rules and kill Doomsday, no one else will die."
"What about you?" Diana asked worriedly. "You're not planning on sacrificing yourself, are you?"
"I don't plan to die. I don't want to die, but….."
"But nothing!" Diana didn't want Kal to think it. "Wait. Wait for J'onn and Hal to return. We can hold off until then."
"We can't. If I don't show up, Doomsday will kill everyone in Metropolis until I come. I won't let anyone else die."
"But you're fine to let yourself die?" Diana was angry at him. How could he be so selfish? "What about me? I don't want you to die. I won't let you die! We'll face this monster together and if we die—"
"NO!" Kal's voice was like a lion's roar. So loud and fierce that even Diana took a step back. His eyes flashed blood red before calming down to the cerulean blue Diana knew and loved. "No," he said calmer. "You will not die." Kal gripped Diana gently. "I am the only survivor of Krypton. My people are dead. My Earth parents are dead. I only have you. You, Diana, have a mother and thousands of sisters. You are a princess. You are meant to be queen one day."
"And you think I have more to lose if I die than you?" Diana's heart broke. Kal was going to sacrifice himself. She fought away the tears but she couldn't stop her voice from breaking. "You are my husband. My love. I can't lose you."
Kal drew Diana into a warm embrace. "If I should die, you can move on, Diana. I am only a piece of the long life you have ahead of you. There's so much in life waiting for you to explore, to learn from, to teach. Losing a husband should and will not cripple you." He cupped the left side of her face and gazed down at her. His eyes glistened with his own tears. "Not a strong, brave woman like you. You always knew what you want. I still remember the day you told me of your feelings." Kal's smile lit up his face and the memory brought tears to Diana's eyes. "This young, heady woman of twenty telling me, a much older man, she loved me, she wanted me. You enraptured me with your kiss, breaking down my walls, allowing me to let go and fall so deeply in love with you. You always go after you want, Diana. A strength like that will not be squelched by my possible death."
Kal covered Diana's lips with his in a passionate kiss goodbye. Kal knew this was possibly the last time he will kiss his wife so he took his time kissing her, enjoying the feel of Diana's lips of his, the feel of her body against his, the feel of her fingers in his hair. He memorized everything, even Diana's tears sliding on his cheeks.
Diana opened her eyes. She uncoiled the lasso from her neck. The truth was harrowing. Her strength was squelched by Kal's death. Kal knew she could get pass it but Diana didn't want to. She thoroughly embraced the darkness that overwhelmed her when Kal died instead of seeing what Kal did for her. His sacrifice allowed her to live. Being alive, Diana was able to make changes in other people's lives, like Clark's. If she had died with Kal, Clark would still be on the farm, mourning his parents' death, allowing his fear to cripple him from saving others. The President and his wife would be dead. The people who will be saved in the future by Clark would be dead if she had not arrived.
"I was dead," Diana whispered. "A part of me died when Kal died. Not anymore. I am no longer dead."
A surge of determination rose in Diana, a spirit was reawakening again; a spirit of love, of hope. There will be obstacles in the way, experiences she will face that will crush her but she would no longer feel dead again.
Tears of joy fell from Diana's eyes. She was happy. Truly happy. For the first time in years, she was truly happy. The part of her that was dead for years was returning.
Diana put a hand to her chest and closed her eyes. "I'll love you forever, Kal. Thank you for your love." Diana opened her eyes again. Instead of sadness, her eyes shined with hoped. "Thank you, Clark. Without you, I wouldn't have found myself again."
"I have to see him. I have to apologize."
Those were Diana's immediate thoughts when she left the Fortress. She flew from the ice home in the Arctic faster than she ever flew before.
"I hope I'm not too late to fix the mistakes I've done."
Diana flew to Clark's home in Smallville. The crew hadn't arrived for the day yet so it was easy for Diana to sneak in undetected. Diana searched his home and didn't find him there. She thought this was where he went when he left her last night. Diana knew Clark didn't stay at the Watchtower. That would raise questions if he showed up without her.
If Clark wasn't here, there was one other possible place Clark went to and Diana hoped she was wrong.
Without a moment to lose, Diana went to Lila's home. It was still early so she arrived undetected. Diana knew if Clark didn't go home, he would go to a place where he could talk to someone. The closest person to Clark, other than her, was Lila. Diana didn't feel threatened by the woman until now.
She rang the doorbell and braced herself.
Lila sat at her kitchen table drinking her mug of coffee and thumbing through a fitness magazine. Clark prepared breakfast for her as thanks for letting him stay the night. He was a good cook, Lila observed. She could get used to Clark's cooking. She could get used to everything with Clark. She pictured him sitting at this table eating breakfast with her and her son and with a little luck, maybe she would carrying his child.
Diana was a fool but I'm not one to pass on a good thing.
The doorbell rang just as that thought passed her mind. Lila looked upward thinking of Clark taking his shower. She knew it would cause a controversy if he was caught here since he foolishly told the world he was with Diana. Lila hoped Clark would remain upstairs while she shoo whoever was at the door away. In the past weeks, reporters have to her home as well as all the residence of Smallville asking about Clark, trying to find any dirt on him but she convinced them she knew nothing of his abilities and eventually they left her alone. Proving her worth by protecting Clark against the media, gave Lila an extra boost of her and Clark ending up together.
Lila opened the door not expecting Diana on the other end. This was perfect for Lila. Now she had the upper hand with the beautiful woman.
"What do you want?" she spat out coldly.
"Is Clark here?"
Lila smirked. Not so confident now, are you? Oh, she was going to have fun torturing Diana. Serves her right. "He's upstairs using my shower."
"Shower?"
Lila saw the panic on Diana's face, heard the shock in her voice. She didn't sleep with Clark but it didn't mean Diana had to know that. "Yes. He is in my shower. He came to me after you humiliated him last night. I know everything."
The color drained from Diana's face. "He told you?"
"Yes," she lied. "You are a cold-hearted bitch to use and crush a kind, wonderful man like Clark. Then again," she chuckled cruelly, "perhaps, I should thank you. You did open Clark's eyes to you. Now he can move on to a woman who truly wants him."
If he wanted to hurt her, Clark was going about it right. It's what I deserve but the hurt is so painful. "I need to talk to him."
"You said enough last night."
Lila closed the door on her but Diana stuck her arm out blocking it. She easily overcame Lila and pushed the door opened again. "Please. He needs to he—" Diana saw Clark coming down the stairs. "Clark," she whispered.
He was wearing the jeans he left in last night. His shirt was in his hand, his naked chest was exposed to her and his hair was wet from his shower.
Lila turned around seeing Clark coming down the stairs. She went to his side, and to rub it in Diana's face, stepped closer to him and touched his chest. "You don't have to say anything to her."
"It's okay," Clark said to Lila as he tossed on his shirt. "I need to leave anyway. I have to check on my animals." Smiling at Lila he said, "Thank you for everything."
"Sure thing." She kissed Clark's cheek. "Come over anytime."
Diana watched the exchanged between Clark and Lila. Could they have…? Did he?
Diana pushed the emotions building in her aside. If he did, she couldn't do anything about that but they could talk and work things out.
Clark said his goodbye to Lila and walked to Diana. Her heart raced as Clark came closer. What would he say to her? What would she say to him?
The answer came with Clark walking by Diana without saying anything.
Lila grinned. Diana flushed with humiliation.
That was unexpected. Diana thought Clark would say something.
Diana followed after Clark. She was not going to lose him like this.
"Clark, I – "
"There's nothing more you have to say," Clark leapt off the ground, flying away.
Diana flew after him. "There's plenty to say"
At the speed they were flying, it didn't take long to reach Clark's home. Clark saw the crew arriving to finish their work of upgrading his land. How much longer? Clark stopped and allowed Diana to catch up to him. He didn't want to be near her but he had to say this. "I don't want to draw attention to our breakup."
"Breakup?"
"You think after what you did I will take you back?" Clark was exasperated Diana didn't realize it was over. He had his pride after all. He wasn't going back to Diana after what she did. He said it again, so it was clear to Diana, "It is over between us. In public, we will act like we were before you humiliated me. I'll decide how much time has passed before we tell the world we broke up. Outside the public eyes, I don't want to see you."
"Clark, if you give me a chance to explain."
"There's nothing you can say that will make me forgive you for what you did."
Clark dropped to the ground and went straight to his barn.
Rejection. That was something new to Diana. She never felt it before until now. Clark rejected her. Kal never did that. Instead of being angry or sad, Diana smiled. Clark is very different from Kal indeed. How blind I was to not see how much.
Diana left, flying back to the Fortress. It was wise to not to pursue the matter and let Clark have his way. He was still too angry to listen to her. We'll play it your way for now, Clark. But soon, you and I will talk.
"The time to strike is now."
Darkseid hadn't seen Orion since he brought him news of the Justice League's formation three weeks ago. He assumed Orion was still studying the newly formed Justice League and prepping his task force. "So soon, Orion? I advised you to not rush into this."
"I'm not rushing, but we need to strike in the Justice League's early stages. We can't let them became a full force. Their Watchtower is already orbiting the Earth and more of Earth's heroes are joining."
"So, what is your plan?"
"A simultaneous strike."
Darkseid's eyes burned with pleasure. "Divided they fall. An old but very effective strategy."
"Yes. Furies and parademons will take over the Watchtower and crash it on Earth. At the same time, there will be an attack on Smallville, Superman's hometown. There will be strikes all over the world including Washington, D.C. where Steppenwolf and Kalibak failed. Earth will know the true fury of Darkseid."
The vision of Earth's fall was glorious in Darkseid's twisted mind. He saw the parademons killing humans and his Furies killing the Justice League. If anyone could organize a perfect strike, it would be Orion. "When do you plan to attack and how many parademons will you be taking?"
"Forty thousand and we leave in forty-eight hours."
"Proceed and bring the head of Superman to me."
"It shall be done." Orion left the room smiling. After I shed Superman's head, yours is next.
Darkseid turned away as Orion left. Not only will Superman fall on Earth but so will you, Orion. You will not return to Apokolips alive.
"Superman! Superman!"
A large crowd of women screamed at Superman, trying to get his attention. Superman helped Green Lantern and Vixen battle Sinestro, Giganta and Firefly. During the battle, Superman arrived in the middle of the fight to aid Vixen with Giganta and Firefly. He also put out the fire in the apartment building Firefly set ablaze and rescued many of the occupants.
After the battle, Superman stopped to take pictures and sign autographs. With his speed, he breezed through the autographs with onlookers looking in awe of him.
"Oh, he is so handsome!" one woman gushed as she watched Superman rapidly sign autographs.
"I can't believe he is taken!" another woman groused. "I hate Wonder Woman!"
"She's his girlfriend," another woman added as she pushed up her chest. With the amount of cleavage she was showing, she was certain Superman would take a look. "He's not married to her and even if he was, we still have a chance. Monogamy is overrated."
Superman came to the three women. He signed an autograph for one, took a picture with another and the third offered him a marker, pushed up her chest and said, "Sign my breasts!"
To her disappointment, Superman didn't look down at the woman's breasts. Instead, he gazed into her eyes with his blue eyes twinkling at her, flashing his perfect smile at her which almost caused the woman to swoon. "I don't think it will last long if I do that."
The pretty woman flirted, "The memory of you touching me will last a lifetime for me."
"Sorry," he apologized. "I just can't do that but thanks just the same."
The woman pouted. "Is Wonder Woman really all that? I wouldn't mind sharing you."
"Sorry," he said again. "I'm a one woman man." Superman gave a parting wave to the people and flew away.
The two women giggled at their peeved friend as Superman flew away. "It's his loss."
High in the sky, Diana watched the battle. Her ears, though not as sharp as Clark's, heard the conversation of the women and Clark rejecting them. She wanted to join the battle but knew this was Clark's time to shine and knew, even three weeks later, Clark's anger for her hadn't simmered.
They had everyone fooled they were a couple. In front of the Justice League members, they would hold hands, share hugs, smile at each other and make jokes. Outside the Justice League, they had no contact with each other. Diana stayed at the Fortress while Clark stayed at his home on Smallville. They would meet at the Watchtower to have meetings with the Justice League members before parting on their separate assignments. Clark would spend time with the other members, forging friendships with them and getting to know them and their world and leave with Diana, letting everyone thing they were going home together.
It was especially hard on Diana to be affectionate to Clark knowing the truth but she hoped the torture of pretending to be a couple wouldn't last much longer. She hoped they can truly be a couple again.
Diana turned to leave. She didn't want Clark catching her. Every battle Clark partook in without her, Diana watched from a distance and she always left without him knowing.
Until now.
Diana saw Clark flying to her faster than she could get away. Instead of making a haste escape, she stood between the clouds waiting for him. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw his approach. This was the first time in weeks she was alone with him.
"Clark."
Clark wasn't happy to see her. He knew what Diana's been doing and he had enough of it. "I know you've been watching me. Stop it!"
Clark flew away, leaving a red streak in the sky. Diana was crushed but not broken.
"Blessed, Athena. Thank you for the patience you have bestowed upon me."
When President Luthor's Chief of Staff entered the Oval Office to tell him Wonder Woman was here to see him, Lex couldn't help feeling scared. He wasn't expecting to see her. With the Watchtower was orbiting the Earth, Lex convened meetings with members of the Justice League on the satellite while he remained at the White House. He was also never alone with Wonder Woman. He knew the woman didn't like him for reasons he didn't understand.
Lex's mouth went dry when Wonder Woman entered the room and the Chief of Staff closed the door behind him. "Wonder Woman, I must say I'm surprised to see you. Would you like to sit down?"
"I'll stand. This won't take long."
Lex nodded. "Okay."
This was one of the hardest things Diana had to do but she knew she must. The way she treated Lex was unfair and uncalled for and it was time atone for that. "I owe you an apology. I was angry with you when I shouldn't have been."
An apology? Wonder Woman came to apologize? Lex slowly relaxed but remained on guard.
Diana continued, "In my world, Lex Luthor was an evil man. He killed someone I love and he got away with it."
Lex had a feeling his double in Diana's world did something cruel. He hadn't considered it was murder, especially someone close to Wonder Woman. "You said was."
"There was a trial and Lex got off. He bribed the jury and he had a team of expensive lawyers. Lex gloated his victory in my face and when he left the court, he was gunned down."
"It was the Superman of your world, wasn't it?" Lex guessed. It had to be. Wonder Woman was involved with the Superman of this world. If she was involved with him, it made sense she lost the Superman of her world. "The Lex in your world killed Superman."
Diana nodded, not surprised at how quickly he put the two together. "Yes."
"I see." Lex sat on the edge of his desk thinking of how to handle this piece of news. "Well, I can certainly understand your hatred of me. I abhor what that Lex did, but you should know I'm not him. I'm not evil. I have no hate towards Superman. I admire him. I envy him." He shrugged with a smile. "Who wouldn't? To have all that power, to do the things he can do. He can save and change the world more than I can imagine to ever think possible."
"It's hard for me but I am trying to not see the Lex from my world when I see you. I am trying to trust you."
Lex took Diana's olive branch. "You can and I understand it will be hard for you. I will do what it takes to prove I am a good person."
"Thank you."
"And I will keep this between us," Lex promised. Diana nodded gratefully.
"Now that I know the truth, I can't help but pry about your relationship with Superman. It's a little strange don't you think?" Lex questioned carefully. "You were involved with the Superman of your world and now you're involved with this one. You're not replacing one with the other, are you?"
If Diana didn't know any better, she would say Lex was protective of Clark. She knew the two had formed a friendship that initially baffled and disgusted her but now she was starting to accept it and potentially see a strong friendship forming between the two.
"They are two different people. I made the mistake of comparing them and trying to replace Kal with Clark but not anymore. My love for each man is different and I want Clark. Not Kal."
Lex smiled, believing her. Having gotten to know Superman, he took the man under his wings, advising him about the world, how he will be viewed by the public and getting to know him. Clark was slowly becoming the brother he never had and along the way, he became protective of him. Now he saw he had nothing to worry about with Diana. "Well, I hope you and Superman are very happy together."
"Thank you." I hope we can be as well.